Can you rock The Rock? Come join us for our 3 and 6 mile runs at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, MO where you will challenge your endurance and mental grit while experiencing exhilarating, scenic views you won’t find anywhere else. The 6-mile course is one of the most …
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Can you rock The Rock? Come join us for our 3 and 6 mile runs at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, MO where you will challenge your endurance and mental grit while experiencing exhilarating, scenic views you won’t find anywhere else. The 6-mile course is one of the most challenging, rewarding runs you will ever complete. Best for experienced runners, this course was not designed to be someone’s first 6 mile run.
While most of this course is asphalt, be prepared to run over several different surfaces including, but not limited to, gravel, road, trail, wet rock, metal bridge(s), water and dirt. While this course is hilly and challenging, participants will experience waterfalls, a cave, scenic overlooks and absolutely beautiful surroundings. Spectators will have limited viewing options along the course. The best spots to cheer for your runners will be at the start and finish lines.
The 3 mile course will share a lot of the same terrain as the 6 mile run. You will get to experience waterfalls, caves and absolutely breathtaking surroundings. This 3 mile run is perfect for those who are new to Run the Rock or want a challenge that provides the perfect combination of beauty and exertion.
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Blame the clouds and view....
What started as a race to fill the weekend, became a "must-do" race for the future. After unsuccessfully scouring the internet for an elevation chart or on-the-course photos, the only … MORE
What started as a race to fill the weekend, became a “must-do” race for the future. After unsuccessfully scouring the internet for an elevation chart or on-the-course photos, the only thing I was promised was gorgeous views and tortuous hills. Neither were a disappointment. Quite the contrary, thanks to the bits and pieces of paradise views, the constant hills were almost a joy to climb. I say almost, because hills will never be my strength. It’s a weakness that rears it’s ugly head at every turn, whenever possible.
Yet, I didn’t mind the initial 3 miles of twists and turns. Usually mixed-distance courses or races, the longer length can be cheated out of a good course. Not here. The extra length welcomed us 6-milers to “Paradise”. Knowing that the turnaround was at the top of a hill, overlooking miles of nature was a motivating factor. The run back down provided the same about of turns, curves and mixture of up- and down-hills. I’ve been on some races that seem like the corners or turns are too sharp or even lead to motion sickness. Run the Rock’s curves were smooth, at the right times and gradual.
After a small, yet slippery, hill of a few feet, runners eventually joined the “gravel” road. A couple of runners prior to the race told us to expect gravel. It was not loose gravel. It was a permanent gravel roadway designed for golf carts. I definitely would not classify it was a gravel road.
It was on the golf cart road where we encountered breathtaking waterfalls, bridges overlooking miles of forestry and even a cave, which also serves as a bar. Due to the waterfalls and golf carts, though, the roadway can get slick. My running partner gave me the heads up, as he was ahead of me, and I was grateful for it.
I took a shoe off the production, only because I would have liked to have seen an elevation chart beforehand. (I may edit this entry and add one later.) Bass Pro Fitness Series definitely know how to put on a show though. I use the word show rather than race, because with the scenery, post-race goodies, volunteers, and crowd support, it really becomes a show.
I was slightly disappointed on my time only because I never want to disappoint my running partner and I want to be faster. But I absolutely loved the race! I enjoyed all the views, took pictures and vow to return. The subpar time? I blame the clouds – they are too beautiful to miss.
Bass Pro can't put on a bad race
This is a smaller race than something like you'd expect for such a scenic route. 333 did the 6-miler and 218 did the 3-miler. The former is not just 2 … MORE
This is a smaller race than something like you’d expect for such a scenic route. 333 did the 6-miler and 218 did the 3-miler. The former is not just 2 laps of the latter, which I am very thankful for. What it was was a gorgeous first half through some more-than-rolling hills (though nothing that intimidating past the first downhill, RIP my quads, but if you’re not a hill runner don’t expect to come here and PR).
I had an injury so I didn’t wear the 30+lb vest I usually do, and overall this course ran very fast. Fast enough that I can say if I go back at 100% it is entirely possible I could get in a top-10-pace race, but I’m comfortable sprinting down steep hills, too. Thanks Uncle Sam. As a 6-miler, not a 10k, I suppose “getting a PR” here may be easy for some, as it is a different length.
People were saying this course is all terrain. Okay there’s 6 feet of loose gravel and a 6 foot section of mud, a couple of places where the various waterfalls flow over the concrete path, but at the end of the day you’re running on paths which the rest of the year are used as the tour path for the golf cart tour, so manage your expectations if you think you’re going for an adventure race. Now that said, what you do get is a gorgeous scenic route that I actually lost time on because I stopped countless times to take pictures. I’m no stranger to snapping a shot while I race without stopping. This wasn’t that. This was full on stop, postcard making opportunities. The course was varied and includes a stint through a cave and across several covered and uncovered metal bridges. There is a long winding hill at the end. Stick to the edges of the path, not the center, and avoid the slick spots and keep your time up. You’ll thank me later.
Like all Bass Pro races, the medal is gorgeous and the tshirts are top notch (Oakley or Underarmor brand this year..I’ll have to check.) If you’re a flatlander this could easily be a challenging course. Let me say that I cannot promote it enough though, and as long as you go in there being okay with not getting a PR, I am honestly at a loss for how you could not enjoy this course.
Shots of moonshine (the commercial stuff, not the real stuff) await you at the end along with the standard assortment of bars/snack packs. The onsite Mexican restaurant is the only thing open for lunch afterwards, but they come highly recommended as well. This race is marketed as a tough challenge and a great slogan of Rocking The Rock. The MC was great at building the hype at the finish line and the guy that handed me my medal shouted “Did you ever think you could Rock the Rock?” I told him it was a great warmup, then went back for my friend who was also crushing it. This is not a race to shy away from. You would be doing yourself a disservice. They say they want a 90-minute cutoff, but honestly if you’re close they’re still going to let you finish. We hung around in the parking lot after the race for a while and nobody I saw walking by was leaving without a medal. I know it’s just a 6-miler, but honestly this is a great destination race.
Challenging course in a great location
Course is at the top of the hills in Branson, Mo, I think only about 5% of the course was flat, the rest is steep up and steep down. Few … MORE
Course is at the top of the hills in Branson, Mo, I think only about 5% of the course was flat, the rest is steep up and steep down. Few spots where footing is questionable, but go through caves, by waterfalls, and atop a very picturesque view. Great snack and alcohol tastings after the race. Very nice medal.
Challenging but oh so worth it!!
This race is well-organized, from packet pickup to race day. The course was challenging... lots of ups and downs throughout... but the views along the way as well as at … MORE
This race is well-organized, from packet pickup to race day. The course was challenging… lots of ups and downs throughout… but the views along the way as well as at the Top of the Rock were gorgeous. We got to go through the cave there. It was a neat experience, although I was nearly throughthe cave by the time my eyes adjusted. The shirt is a very nice quality UA shirt, and the medal was absolutely gorgeous! We did have to make special arrangements to pick up our packets, because it was 2 days prior to the race and a short window. I finished dead last, but there were still lots of people cheering me at the finish. Good snacks, with beer and liquor samples too! The only negative things were that some of the route was on open road with traffic, and there was a lot of traffic congestion getting to parking. Thankfully the race started a few minutes late, or we wouldn’t have made it in time. Would absolutely do this race again!